Stress Test

By zigb

1 min read

As a follow-up from an ER visit in February which showed an abnormal EKG, I was referred to a cardiologist who ordered an Echocardiogram and a nuclear stress test. I had heard the stress test was no big deal. I had an IV with some radioactive chemical to look at my heart function during exercise on a treadmill.

So I get on the treadmill at level 1.7 mph and 10% incline, 2 minutes into the test I am way over the target heart rate, and I start to get very short of breath. We didn't even go to level 2. I only made it 3 minutes and thought I was about to die. I took my inhaler and they finished doing their scans. I was sure I failed the test and that I had a very bad heart condition. Later that day the doctor's office called to say my test was normal.

I hope I never have to do that test again. I couldn't find any comment from an asthmatic taking a stress test so I hope this helps anyone else who is having one done.

Take your inhaler with you!!

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention username="zigb" user-id="3063733"/>, and thanks so much for sharing this experience with the community. As you mentioned, I also do not recall any one here mentioning they had a stress test as a shared experience. I will share here that, in 2015, I had the cardiac stress test, as you did (it was not a nuclear stress test, though). Similar to your experience, the rate was set, the incline gradually increased until I found myself huffing and puffing, holding on (so as not to get bumped off the treadmill), and sweating profusely. Fortunately, after the test, my breathing recovered on its own (while I rested) and I was told I passed it with flying colors! Even though I felt I was out of condition and didn't do well, my results turned out to be normal - no cardiac arrythmias were set off by the test. As you may now know, that was really good news to hear. At the time, I also wore a weekend Holter monitor. That, too, turned out to be normal. I hope we hear from others who may have gone through this diagnostic procedure. Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>)
kgflibby Member
Had several stress tests. One of the nuclear and the other kind. I would use inhaler if they would have let me.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="kgflibby" user-id="4149137"/> The inhaler was not available to me during the stress test. At any point, if I were to say I could not continue, the test would have been stopped. Fortunately, I was able to complete the test. Thanks for your input, too! Leon (site moderator <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>)
Melissa.Arnold Community Admin
So glad all of you did well! It's so stressful -- no pun intended. -Melissa, <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a> team